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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-1998 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS COMMISSION PLANNING THURSDAY, AUGUST 20,1998 7:00 P.M. Call To Order: Chair Hedlund called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dahlquist, Hedlund, Schultz, Vogt and Wasescha. Staff Present: City Planner Richards, City Planner Digre, Administrative Assistant Mesko, Community Development/Recording Secretary Hultman. Mesko left at 8:30 p.m. Roll Call: Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to have this section removed from future agendas. Carried 5 -0. Approve Minutes: Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Vogt, moved to approve the minutes of June 18,1998 as presented. Carried 5 -0. Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to approve the minutes of July 16, 1998 as presented. Carried 5 -0. Public Hearings: A. Lower Oak Park Heights Rezoning from R -2 to O, Open Space (Continued) Chair Hedlund opened the public hearing for discussion at 7:08 p.m. There were no visitors in the audience. City Planner Richards provided the Commission with a memorandum from City Attorney Vierling regarding the giving back of land taken through Eminent Domain. In short, it stated that no definite answer could be obtained from the MnDOT Commissioners office on when MnDOT decides to reconvey real property under Minn. Stat. 161.442 nor was the attorney spoken with willing to provide any guidance in how the MnDOT makes such a decision, beyond the statute section 161.442 which states, " that the DOT commissioner may reconvey real property acquired for highway building that is no longer needed to the previous owner." Discussion ensued. Richards stated that it is one of the City's long -term goals to discuss the re -use of this property and though it does not appear that the bridge is going to be located in this area, as originally intended, it is likely that portions of the area will be utilized for intersection easements. Richards further indicated that it is the City's intention to have this area remain a residential neighborhood and that by changing the zoning to O, Open Space, it will allow the City the best long -term opportunity for maximum control over the neighborhoods future development, without affecting the properties presently existing within the neighborhood. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 7:35 p.m. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to recommend that Council approve rezoning of Lower Oak Park Heights from R -2, Low and Medium Density Residential to O, with the land to be shown as residential in the Citty's Comprehensive Plan. Carried 4 -1, Vogt opposed. Old Business: A. Design Guidelines City Planner Richards asked for comments on the draft provided to the Commission and indicated that more process had been included in this draft per the Commissions recommendation. Discussion ensued. Richards will revise draft with Commissions recommendations. This matter will be placed on the September 17, 1998 meeting agenda for further discussion. Oak Park Heights Agenda - 2 B. Park Dedication: City Planner Richards explained the park dedication presently in place by the City. He indicated that currently the City only required a cash dedication. He further stated that land dedication has proven to be more favorable to the City Discussion ensued, including a suggestion that if land is to be part of the dedication process, there should be the option to choose either the land or the cash value of the land to be dedicated. Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Hedlund, moved to table this issue for further discussion at the September 17, 1998 meeting. Carried 5 -0. C. State Planning Conference /Land Use Planning Seminar, September 23- 25, 1998 City Planner Richards noted the upcoming seminar dates and asked who would be attending. Commissioners Vogt and Hedlund will be attending the Minnesota American Planners Association seminar and Commissioner Hedlund will be attending the State Planning Conference. City Planner Richards stated that he, along with staff, would take care of the necessary registration. D. Zoning Action Property Notification Signs City Planner Digre outlined procedures used by other communities for sign notifications in zoning action areas. City Planner Richards had photographs of several sign designs available and shared them with the Commission. Brief discussion ensued as to the sign size and time frame of sign placement. Chair Hedlund, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to have Richards discuss this issue with the City's Public Works staff and direct them to look into costs for such signs and make recommendation to Council for purchase. Carried 5 -0. I A. Special Meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 1998 for Public Hearings and Comprehension Plan Public Informational Meeting City Planner Richards stated that this was placed on the agenda for the Commissions reference. Brief discussion ensued regarding what each of the public hearings, listed on the September 3,1998 agenda draft, were for. Public hearing notices was of specific concern. The Commission would like to see the notices indicate that questions should be directed to City Hall, ensuring that a party could be contacted, who would have adequate information to assist the caller. The Commission directed that the Oakgreen Avenue Annexation Area - Rezoning matter be revised, on the agenda, from a public hearing to aninformational meeting Properties in the affected areas will be notified by staff of the informational meeting status. Charles what was it about the annexation notice and being on the regular agenda. Informational: Valley Senior Service Alliance Summary of Preliminary Cost Estimate was received by the Commission. Commissioner Dahlquist stated that he would like to see a a trail connection west through the Kern Center for future access to the Gatewav Trail. Also, with the aossibility of the city expanding to the south, a trail connection should be shown to the southwest at the south end of O'Brien Ave. N. General discussion ensued regarding trail plans existing and those proposed. Adjournment : Chair Hedlund, seconded by Schultz, moved to adjourn. Carried 5 -0. Oak Park Heights Agenda - 3 Meeting adjourned, to Comprehensive Plan Discussion workshop at 9:10 p.m. Next Regular Meeting: September 17, 1998 - 7:00 p.m., Oak Park Heights City Hall Respectfully submitted, 1-4k-d'. 'A' Julie A. Hultman Community Development/ Recording Secretary